Metal to plastic connector for toy structures

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a connector for toy structures and educational instruments, particularly for assembling plastic and metal components. The connector includes a circular base with apertures for securing to an expansive metal construction piece by use of screws or similar threaded fasteners. The connector further includes a passageway for receiving a second construction piece, such as a plastic construction piece. Pegs pass through aligned apertures in the walls of the passageway as well as apertures in the second construction pieces, thereby securing the second construction piece to the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/082,984 filed Apr. 16, 2008. The aforementioned patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a connector for toy structures and educational instruments, particularly for assembling plastic and metal components.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art of toy structures wherein various pieces are provided for the child to assemble, typically all the pieces of a set are assembled with similar material. However, of all materials, metal is typically the best adapted for providing thin pieces of a long expanse. Plastic, however, is typically preferable for smaller pieces, such as connectors, as it is flexible and easy to manipulate safely by children.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plastic connector which is adaptable for use with larger metal pieces, particularly expansive pieces, in a toy construction set.

This and other objects are attained by providing a plastic connector with a flat base which can be screwed to the side of a first metal construction piece, and further includes a passageway of square or rectangular cross section for receiving a plastic construction piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention, shown assembled with both metal and plastic pieces.

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention, shown assembled with both metal and plastic pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees the connector 10, an embodiment of the present invention. Connector 10 is typically an integral molded piece of plastic, but those skilled in the art will recognize a range of equivalents after review of this disclosure. Connector 10 includes a circular base 12 in a planar configuration with opposed apertures 14, 16 inwardly adjacent from the periphery 18 of circular base 12. Apertures 14, 16 receive threaded fasteners or similar generally cylindrical fasteners 98 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which pass partially through apertures 14, 16 and are received by apertures 102 in a metal construction piece 100 and are captured by complementary metal fasteners (obscured from view). Therefore, the planar surface of circular base 12 abuts a wall of construction piece 100, and is co-planar therewith, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Apertures 102 are positioned around central apertures 104 so as allow the user to orient the circular base 12 at different angles with respect to metal construction piece 100.

Connector 10 further includes a square or rectangular channel 20 bounded by walls 22, 24, 26, 28, with wall 26 being formed by a portion of circular base 12. Apertures 30, 32 (obscured from view in FIGS. 1 and 2, see FIG. 3) are formed in sidewall 24 and are aligned with respective apertures 34, 36 formed in sidewall 28. In this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, construction piece 200 (typically made of plastic) can pass through channel 20 and be secured therein by peg 202 passing through apertures 30, 34 and likewise through a first aperture of construction piece 200. Similarly, peg 204 can pass through apertures 32, 36 and likewise through a second aperture of construction piece 200. Walls 22, 26 further include respective aligned apertures 40, 42 which can receive pegs (not shown) which are likewise received by central apertures 104 of metal construction piece 100.

Lateral supports 50, 52 extend from circular base 12 to sidewall 24. Similarly, lateral supports 54, 56 extend from circular base 12 to sidewall 28 thereby stabilizing the sidewalls and connector 10 as a whole.

To use connector 10, the user typically places connector 10 against metal construction piece 100 and secures the connector 10 to the construction piece by passing threaded fasteners 98 through apertures 14, 16 and corresponding apertures 102 in metal construction piece 100. Threaded fastener 98 is then captured by a complementary threaded fastener (obscured from view). The user then passes construction piece 200 through channel 20 and passing pegs 202, 204 through apertures 30-36 and the corresponding apertures formed in construction piece 200. Other similar variations are possible.

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims. 

1. A fastener comprising: a planar base configured and arranged to be attached to a first construction part; a channel formed on said planar base, for receiving a second construction part therethrough and securing the second construction piece therewithin; wherein said channel is formed, at least in part, by walls extending from the planar base.
 2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein said channel is bounded in part by said planar base.
 3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein said channel is further bounded by first and second sidewalls and a top wall extending between said first and second sidewalls.
 4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein said first and second sidewalls each include at least one aligned aperture, whereby a peg can pass through said aligned apertures and through a corresponding aperture in the second construction piece, thereby securing the second construction piece within said channel.
 5. The fastener of claim 4 wherein said planar base includes apertures for receiving generally cylindrical fasteners for fastening to the first construction piece.
 6. The fastener of claim 5 wherein said planar base is circular.
 7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein the fastener is formed from plastic.
 8. The fastener of claim 6 wherein the fastener is formed from thermoformed plastic.
 9. The fastener of claim 7 wherein the fastener is a single integral piece. 